Night train noise not comforting to hotel guests

Noisy train horns are not likely to go away anytime soon in Oceanside but city officials say they are making progress in their effort to create so-called “quiet zones” that would help reduce some of the commotion.

For years, people have complained about the train noise along the coastal tracks used by the Amtrak and Coaster trains, saying it keeps residents and hotel guests awake at night, but regulatory and financial hurdles have slowed the city’s efforts against the noise.

Since 2006, city officials have conducted two studies — one in 2006 and another in 2007 — and met with transit officials to determine whether Oceanside can build the quiet zones. Officials said a new study was needed because the requirements have been revised.

Once the new study is complete, officials will have to look for funding to pay for safety upgrades to five railroad crossings in the city.

Mayor Jim Wood proposed during the City Council meeting last week that officials use part of the $5.6 million from the recent sale of the Laguna Vista Mobile Estates for the quiet zones project.

“Seems that we’ve studied it to death and we all agreed that we want to do it,” Wood said. “Let’s move on it and get it done.”

Wood later withdrew his proposal because other council members said the quiet zones project is under discussion, and setting aside the money would not speed up the process.

“I think we’re all on board with the goal here,” Councilman Gary Felien said. “I think we’re moving down the tracks as it is, no pun intended.”

Wood said he wanted to make sure the council discussed the quiet zones project before the Laguna money was spent. The council recently earmarked some of the money for various projects, including $650,000 for beach sand replenishment and $3 million to replace several beach area restrooms.

By law, the trains that ride the coastal rail through Oceanside each day must blow their horns when they approach a crossing that intersects a public street.

In 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration passed a rule allowing communities to create quiet zones where train engineers can blow their horns only in an emergency.

To establish the quiet zones, cities must install safety improvements at each crossing, such as warning strips on the sidewalks, pedestrian gates and traffic signals.

City Manager Peter Weiss said a study is under way to determine exactly what improvements are needed at each of the five intersections in Oceanside. Those intersections are Surfrider Way, Mission Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, Oceanside Boulevard and Cassidy Street.

Once that study is complete, city officials will have a better idea of how much it will cost to make the improvements. Weiss estimated the cost would be about $3 million to $4 million.

City officials are also working with Amtrak, the North County Transit District and SANDAG to collaborate on the improvements.

The quiet zones would have to be approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Howard LaGrange, a member of the Visit Oceanside board of directors, said train noise is one of the top complaints hotel guests make about their stay in the city.

“It’s time to address this issue before we lose any more tourism dollars,” he said.

Steve Maschue, president of the North Coast Village homeowners association, said he has trouble sleeping at night because of the noise.

Maschue said residents in the area may be willing to help pay for the project through an assessment district.

The city conducted a survey in 2007 to gauge whether residents and business owners would be willing to share in the cost. The results were 3 to 1 against the assessment district.

Maschue said part of the reason residents may have been reluctant to support an assessment district then was because estimates for the needed improvements were much higher, about $9 million.

City engineer Scott Smith said the cost estimate has come down because the list of potential improvements has been reduced over time. Other agencies have also agreed to pay for some of the improvements, he said.

Weiss said staff would bring back proposals on how to pay for the improvements after the study is completed early next year.